Peacock and Paramount+ are owned by different companies and have different content libraries

Peacock is owned by NBCUniversal, a division of Comcast. Paramount+ is owned by Paramount Global, the company behind CBS, MTV, and the Paramount film studio. They are completely separate streaming services with their own apps, subscription plans, and content catalogs. You cannot watch Paramount+ shows on Peacock or vice versa.

The confusion happens because both services have "Paramount" in their history—Paramount Global owns the Paramount Pictures movie studio, and NBCUniversal has its own film and television production arms. But the streaming services themselves are distinct products run by different corporations.

If you want to watch shows and movies from both services, you need separate subscriptions. Some cable bundles or third-party platforms may offer both, but they are billed and managed separately.

Key Takeaways

  • Peacock is owned by NBCUniversal and Paramount+ is owned by Paramount Global—two different parent companies.
  • Each service has its own app, login, subscription plan, and content library with no overlap.
  • Peacock carries NBC, Universal, and DreamWorks content; Paramount+ carries CBS, MTV, and Paramount Pictures content.
  • You need separate subscriptions to watch both services, though some bundles may offer discounted rates for multiple services.

What content is on each service

Peacock focuses on content from NBCUniversal's networks and studios. That includes shows from NBC (like The Office, Parks and Recreation, and Saturday Night Live), Universal films, DreamWorks Animation, and Bravo. Peacock also carries sports like Premier League soccer and WWE wrestling.

Paramount+ focuses on content from Paramount Global's networks and studios. That includes shows from CBS (like Star Trek: Discovery and Yellowstone), MTV shows, BET content, and Paramount Pictures films. Paramount+ also carries live sports like NFL games and college football through its partnership with CBS Sports.

There is almost no overlap between the two libraries. If you want to watch a specific show or movie, you need to know which service owns it—and that depends on which studio or network produced it.

How the subscription plans differ

Peacock offers a free tier with ads, a Premium tier with ads, and a Premium Plus tier without ads. The free tier has limited content; the paid tiers unlock the full library. Pricing and features change periodically, so check Peacock's website for current rates.

Paramount+ also offers an ad-supported plan and an ad-free plan. Like Peacock, the ad-free option costs more. The two services do not share subscription plans, so you cannot use one login for both.

Some cable packages or bundle services (like Amazon Prime Video Channels or Apple TV Channels) may offer both Peacock and Paramount+ at a discount, but you are still paying for two separate subscriptions.

Why the names are confusing

The confusion comes from the word "Paramount" appearing in both names. Paramount Global owns the Paramount Pictures studio, which is why Paramount+ uses that name. But Paramount Pictures has nothing to do with Peacock—NBCUniversal straightforward chose a different name for its streaming service.

Adding to the confusion: Paramount Global also owns CBS, and for years there was a service called "CBS All Access" that later became Paramount+. So if you remember CBS All Access, that is now Paramount+. Peacock has always been Peacock.

How to tell which service has what you want

The fastest way is to search for the specific show or movie title on both apps. Most streaming services let you search without logging in, so you can see whether it is available before you subscribe.

If you know the network or studio that made the content, that helps too. NBC, Universal, and DreamWorks content goes to Peacock. CBS, MTV, BET, and Paramount Pictures content goes to Paramount+. If a show aired on a cable network like Bravo or Comedy Central, check which parent company owns that network—Bravo is NBCUniversal (Peacock), while Comedy Central is Paramount Global (Paramount+).

You can also visit each service's website and browse their catalog without subscribing to get a sense of what is available.

Whether to subscribe to one, both, or neither

If you only want to watch one type of content—say, NBC shows or CBS shows—you only need one subscription. If you want access to both libraries, you need both subscriptions. Some people subscribe to one service for a month, watch what they want, then cancel and switch to the other.

Neither service is required. Both are optional paid services, and there are other streaming options available. The choice depends on what shows and movies matter to you and what you are willing to pay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same password for Peacock and Paramount+?

No. Each service has its own separate login and account. You cannot use your Peacock password to log into Paramount+ or vice versa. You need to create an account for each service independently.

If I have cable, do I get both services included?

It depends on your cable package. Some cable providers include Peacock or Paramount+ as part of their bundle, but not always both. Check your cable provider's website or call them to see what streaming services are included in your plan.

Can I watch Peacock shows on the Paramount+ app?

No. The two apps are completely separate. Peacock content only appears in the Peacock app, and Paramount+ content only appears in the Paramount+ app. You cannot cross-watch between them.

Is one service better than the other?

That depends on what you want to watch. If you prefer NBC and Universal content, Peacock is the better choice. If you prefer CBS and Paramount Pictures content, Paramount+ is better. The "better" service is whichever one has the shows and movies you actually want to see.

Do Peacock and Paramount+ ever share movies or shows?

Rarely. Because they are owned by different companies, they have separate licensing agreements with studios and networks. Occasionally a film or show might appear on both if the licensing allows it, but this is not common and is not may provide to last.